Lantern festival in Nanjing lights up Chinese New Year

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The lighting ceremony of the 33rd Nanjing Qinhuai Lantern Festival was held at the Grand Baoen Temple Heritage and Scenic Area on Monday. It is the only large-scale lantern festival that integrates a light show, a lantern festival and a lamp market.

The Lantern Festival has eight exhibition areas, including Confucius Temple, Dongganchang Lane, and Ming Dynasty Wall.

Lanterns exhibited at Qinhuai Lantern Festival in Nanjing. /VCG Photo

A little girl participated in the lighting ceremony of Qinhuai Lantern Festival. /VCG Photo

A giant lantern exhibited at the Lantern Festival. /VCG Photo

Lanterns exhibited at Qinhuai Lantern Festival in Nanjing. /VCG Photo

The overview of Confucius Temple in Nanjing. /VCG Photo

A lantern featuring a cartoon pig in Nanjing. /VCG Photo

Qinhuai Lantern Festival, also known as Jinling Lantern Festival, is one of the largest folk activities in China with a history of over 1,600 years. As early as the Southern Dynasty (420-589), the lantern festival was held in Nanjing, which was the earliest and largest lantern festival in China.

Qinhuai Lantern Festival is mainly held during the Spring Festival. This year, it will last for 63 days from January 28 to March 31. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic scenery, interact with lights and pray for their families and friends.

(Cover: The lantern named “Xin” in Nanjing, China. /VCG Photo )